Air Transat ends its Ottawa to London Gatwick route for 2027
Air Transat will not resume its Ottawa to London Gatwick service next year, the Ottawa Business Journal reported on November 9. Air Canada's Heathrow route and Porter connections remain.
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Air Transat will not operate its Ottawa to London Gatwick route in 2027, the Ottawa Business Journal reported on November 9. The airline ran the service for one season, three flights a week from May 15 to October 23, 2026, then decided not to bring it back.
Stéphanie Dussault, Air Transat's senior adviser of communications and public affairs, told the Ottawa Business Journal: "As part of our ongoing efforts to optimize our network, Air Transat will not operate its Ottawa to London Gatwick route in 2027." The airline continues year-round service from Toronto to Gatwick and seasonal service from Montreal to Gatwick, and has a connecting arrangement with Porter Airlines.
What Ottawa travellers still have
Air Canada runs Ottawa to London Heathrow year-round. That route is separate from the cancelled Gatwick service and is not affected by Air Transat's decision. Air France also offers direct service between Ottawa and Paris.
The cancelled route was the third transatlantic route at Ottawa International Airport. The Ottawa Business Journal reported that 449,016 passengers flew internationally through the airport in 2026, compared with 485,641 in 2025.
Airport plans a connection centre
The airport is working on a connection centre to make it easier for passengers to change flights there. Joel Tkach, vice-president of business development, told the Ottawa Business Journal that connecting passenger volume has grown from 4 per cent to 14 per cent of total traffic over five years. The project is in its planning phase, with completion targeted for 2028 to 2029.
What to do
Ottawa residents planning to fly to London in 2027 can book through Air Canada's Ottawa to Heathrow service, which runs year-round. Those who prefer Gatwick can connect through Toronto on Air Transat's service from there. The Ottawa International Airport website lists all current routes and destinations.
Questions this story answers
What route is Air Transat ending from Ottawa?
Air Transat is ending its direct service between Ottawa International Airport and London Gatwick Airport. The route ran three times a week from May 15 to October 23, 2026, and the airline confirmed it will not operate the route in 2027. Stéphanie Dussault, Air Transat's senior adviser of communications and public affairs, said the decision is part of ongoing network optimization. The airline continues year-round service from Toronto to Gatwick and seasonal service from Montreal.
Can Ottawa residents still fly directly to London in 2027?
Yes, through Air Canada. Air Canada operates a year-round direct route between Ottawa International Airport and London Heathrow Airport. That service is separate from Air Transat's cancelled Gatwick route and continues to run. Ottawa travellers who preferred Gatwick over Heathrow will need to connect through Toronto or another hub to reach Gatwick in 2027.
What other transatlantic routes does Ottawa airport have?
As of November 2026, Ottawa International Airport has two remaining transatlantic routes: Air Canada to London Heathrow and Air France to Paris. Air Transat's Ottawa to London Gatwick route was the third, and it ran for one season only. The Ottawa Business Journal reported that 449,016 passengers flew internationally through Ottawa airport in 2026, compared with 485,641 in 2025.
What is the connection centre project at Ottawa airport?
Ottawa International Airport is planning a new connection centre aimed at making it easier for passengers to change flights there. The airport's vice-president of business development, Joel Tkach, told the Ottawa Business Journal that connecting passenger volume has grown from 4 per cent to 14 per cent of total traffic over five years. The connection centre project is in its planning phase, with completion targeted for 2028 to 2029. It is separate from the Air Transat route decision.
Why did Air Transat cancel the Ottawa-London route?
Air Transat cited network optimization as the reason. Stéphanie Dussault, the airline's senior adviser of communications and public affairs, told the Ottawa Business Journal: 'As part of our ongoing efforts to optimize our network, Air Transat will not operate its Ottawa to London Gatwick route in 2027.' The airline did not give additional details about which routes it is prioritizing instead.
Is Porter Airlines offering a way to reach London from Ottawa?
Air Transat has a partnership with Porter Airlines that offers connecting options to its routes. Ottawa residents can connect through Toronto or other Porter hubs to reach Air Transat's London Gatwick service from those cities. Porter itself does not fly transatlantic routes.
When did Air Transat launch the Ottawa-London Gatwick route?
Air Transat launched the Ottawa to London Gatwick route on May 15, 2026. It was a new service that year, operating three flights a week through October 23, 2026. It was the third transatlantic route at Ottawa International Airport. The airline decided not to bring it back for the 2027 season.
What should Ottawa travellers do if they had plans to book this route?
Ottawa travellers planning a trip to London in 2027 should book through Air Canada's Ottawa to Heathrow service, which runs year-round, or connect through Toronto to reach London Gatwick via Air Transat or other carriers. Ottawa Business Journal reported the cancellation on November 9, 2026. The Ottawa airport's website lists current routes for travellers checking their options.
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